Thursday Night 421 Wreck

3WC News is still waiting to hear the final investigation report from Trooper Hall who investigated a traffic accident last night on Hwy 421 near the Clingman Exit that sent a Wilkes teenager to Baptist Hospital.  According to witnesses last night, traffic was stopped in the eastbound lane of Hwy 421 for about an hour following a head-on collision at 8:25 Wednesday night.  Apparently, a woman from Sparta had gotten in the eastbound lane but was traveling west.  Troopers in Yadkin County had been advised of a car going the wrong way and were attempting to local her when the head-on collision occurred near the Clingman Exit in Wilkes.  The wrong-way driver only received minor injuries and declined treatment.  Again, a Wilkes teenager was seriously injured and sent to Baptist.  A passenger in the car with the teen also received minor injuries.

Wilkes Included in Tourism Package

On Tuesday, December 20th at 4 PM, the Yadkin Valley Heritage Corridor (YVHC) Partnership will launch a new identity and integrated Wayfinding Program for the “Yadkin Valley.”   The Yadkin Valley Heritage Corridor Partnership, a 4-county regional collaboration between Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin and parts of Caldwell counties, was established in 2005 as part of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.  The Yadkin Valley Heritage Corridor is developing a ‘place-based’ economic development strategy to reposition the upper “Yadkin Valley” of northwest NC as a regional tourism destination focused on recreation, cultural heritage, and wineries.  Connected by nearly 130 miles of the Yadkin River, YVHC is home to 128 miles of NC Scenic Byways, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Stone Mountain and Pilot Mountain State Parks, W. Kerr Scott Reservoir and Recreation Area, NPS Overmountain Victory Trail, 11 NC Civil War Trail sites, the nationally designated Dark Mountain cycling trail, and nearly 73 miles of trails and greenways throughout the region.  A 2008 economic impact study by DESS Business Research showed that the Yadkin Valley Heritage Corridor, when fully developed, could generate $4 -$6 million dollars annually in economic impact, as well as up to 75 new jobs as a result of increased visitor spending.  

Persistence in Breaking-In

A thief at a North Wilkesboro residence was really persistent about getting inside the home.  The homeowner lives out of town and had not been at the Cart Path Road residence in a couple of weeks.  When they came back to Wilkes this week and discovered the break-in, they call the Sheriff’s Department.  It appears the thief tried to make entry through the front storm door and broke the door handle completely off.  Then the thief went to the back door and broke out a window just to find that the door had deadbolt and could not be opened from the inside or outside with a key.  So finally, the thief kicked in the bottom of the back door and went inside the house.  The only thing reported stolen after all that trouble was an antique record player.  Damages are estimated at 400 dollars and the price of the antique is yet to be determined.  Sheriff’s Officials are checking for fingerprints and the investigation is still underway.

Senator Hagan Comments on President's Visit

U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, today released the following statement on President Obama’s visit to Fort Bragg to mark the end of the war in Iraq.  “It is an honor for North Carolina and all of our servicemen and women that President Obama selected Fort Bragg to mark the end of the country’s war in Iraq.”  Since 2003, thousands of troops stationed at Fort Bragg have deployed to Iraq, and soldiers from North Carolina played an instrumental role in leading military operations and creating the conditions on the ground to facilitate the drawdown of U.S. forces.  Hagan said, “Because of their service, our nation is a safer place today, and the people of Iraq are prepared for a new period of self governance.”

NC Gov Vetoes Racial Justice Act

Governor Perdue this week vetoed a Republican effort to dismantle a law that gives death row inmates a new way to argue that racial bias influenced their trials and punishment.  The law says a judge must reduce a death sentence to life in prison without parole if he determines race was a significant factor in the sentencing. North Carolina and Kentucky are the only states with laws like it. Prosecutors who pushed for repealing the 2009 bill signed into law, said it is clogging the courts with new appeals and has effectively halted executions for the past five years. Nearly all of the 158 prisoners currently on death row — both black and white inmates — have filed papers seeking relief under the Racial Justice Act. In a statement Wednesday, Perdue said that "it is simply unacceptable for racial prejudice to play a role in the imposition of the death penalty in North Carolina."  Gov. Perdue said, “I am – and always will be – a strong supporter of the death penalty. I firmly believe that some crimes are so heinous that no other punishment is adequate.  However, because the death penalty is the ultimate punishment, it is essential that it be carried out fairly and that the process not be infected with prejudice based on race.”  The North Carolina NAACP applauded the Governor’s action.  Perdue's veto means she must call lawmakers back to Raleigh to consider an override by Jan. 8. 

Beware of Phone Scams

Scammers are attempting to fool folks in Wilkes.  According to a report filed with the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department, 2 different people reported this week that a male subject called them to say that they had won 25,000 dollars and just needed to send 200 dollars by Western Union to claim their prize.  The number given by the caller appears to have originated in Jamaica.  David Dalripple with the Better Business Bureau says to beware of scammers who call to say you’ve won or who send phony checks in the mail, because both usually require you sending money by Western Union to claim prizes.  For more information call the Better Business Bureau at 1-800-777-8348.

First Vandalism in 15 Years

A woman who says she has lived in peacefully Wilkes County for 15 years wonders why now her property has been vandalized and damaged.  Wilkes Sheriff’s Officials received a report of damage to property at a residence on Armory Road.  The investigating officer found that 3 inflatable yard decorations:  a Santa, a snowman, and snow globe—had all been cut several times.  Also the front of the victim’s brick house had been hit with eggs.  Damages are listed at120 dollars.  Again, the victim says they have lived in that area for 15 years without any trouble, and they have no idea who might have caused these damages or why.

Wednesday Morning Wreck

One was airlifted and one transported to Baptist following a one-car accident on Hwy 18 Wednesday morning.  According to Trooper Dean of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Carina Evans, age 20 of Mulberry, was driving a 2000 Ford Mustang and traveling South on Hwy 18.  Ms. Evans ran off the right side of the road, hit a fence, over corrected, went across 18 and off the road to the left where she hit a tree.  Evans was severely injured and was airlifted to Baptist Hospital.  A 3-year-old girl was a back-seat passenger in the car and was buckled in a child safety seat.  The girl’s mother arrived on the scene shortly after the wreck.  The little girl received only minor injuries but was also transported to Baptist by ambulance.  Trooper Dean said that charges in the wreck are pending further investigation.

Took from Shelf, Put in Bag, & Did Not Pay

Local stores really appreciate having people shop with them, but they really expect you to pay for the merchandise you take.  Wilkesboro Police are looking for a female who just took without paying at Sears.  Employees at Sears told police that a white female with blond hair was observed putting a Craftsman Power Sander and Craftsman Air Compressor kit in a bag and then leaving without paying.  The female shoplifter get into an older model green sedan and left the scene.  A copy of surveillance video from the store was obtained for evidence by police.  The video did show the woman who has not yet been identified.  Charges are pending further investigation.  Stolen property is valued at 50 dollars.

Wanted Man Caught Shoplifting

Employees at another local store were able to detain a shoplifter until police arrived.  Wilkesboro Police were called to Kohl’s where a man was seen concealing an Android Tablet and Khaki pants before leaving the store without paying.  The man was detained in the parking lot by store employees and was still at the store when police arrived.  Through a check with NC AWARE it was determined that the man, Alex Shaw of  North Wilkesboro, had an open warrant for probation violation.  Shaw was arrested for the warrant and for shoplifting and was held in the Wilkes County Jail under a 10,000 dollar bond.